MERICA Act of 2025

The bill would define "hardrock minerals" and fold those deposits on lands acquired by the United States into the Act's leasing framework, while keeping several energy and Materials Act resources excluded.

• Mining companies and developers: Hardrock deposits on acquired federal lands would be subject to the Mineral Leasing Act's leasing process rather than other placement rules, changing how exploration and development are authorized.
• Federal land administrators and dispute resolution: Disputes and development involving hardrock minerals on acquired lands would be handled under the Act's leasing regime.
• Alaska and geographic scope: Alaska is explicitly harmonized into the acquired-lands definitions so hardrock minerals there would fall under the same leasing rules.
• Resource scope and exclusions: The bill defines hardrock minerals to include base and precious metals, industrial minerals, and gemstones, and it expressly excludes coal, oil, oil shale, gas, sodium, potassium, sulfur, and materials subject to the Materials Act of 1947.